US House Russia sanctions bill stalls ahead of November elections
A U.S. House bill that would impose 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy and on countries helping Moscow evade sanctions has stalled, with Speaker Mike Johnson saying it is unlikely to come to a vote before the November 3 congressional elections. The bill faces resistance from Democrats worried about expanding presidential tariff authority, from some Republicans concerned about higher gasoline prices, and from US business groups warning of unintended economic consequences. The Senate already approved the measure 86-11, and Ukrainian officials have been lobbying in Washington to push it through the House.
Key points
- Speaker Mike Johnson said on Thursday he doubts the bill will be voted on before the November 3 midterm elections.
- The bill would let the president impose 100% tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas, and on five countries helping Russia evade energy sanctions, including China, India and Turkey.
- The Senate passed the bill 86-11 after the July death of its author, Senator Lindsey Graham.
- Democrat Gregory Meeks said he cannot support a bill giving the president tariff authorities he does not currently have.
- House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast said the bill is being evaluated partly for its possible impact on US gasoline prices, already elevated after the war with Iran.
- A coalition of US business groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce, sent Congress a letter in August warning of unintended consequences for consumers, trading partners and allies.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and sanctions envoy Vladyslav Vlasiuk met with US lawmakers to press for passage of the bill.
Why it matters
If enacted, the bill would sharply escalate economic pressure on Russia by targeting not only Moscow but the largest foreign buyers of its energy and the countries helping it circumvent sanctions. Its delay in the House postpones a tool that supporters say would strengthen Ukraine's position and demonstrate continued US resolve, while opponents warn it could raise energy costs for American consumers and grant the president sweeping new tariff powers.
What happened
The bill, originally authored by Senator Lindsey Graham and co-authored by Senator Richard Blumenthal, would authorize the president to impose 100% tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian oil and natural gas and on five countries that help Russia evade energy sanctions. After Graham's death in July, the Senate approved the measure 86-11. In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson has said he doubts it will reach a vote before the November 3 midterm elections, citing a thin House calendar and opposition from both Democrats and parts of the Republican caucus. Democrats led by Gregory Meeks have objected to provisions they say would give the president new legal grounds to impose broad tariffs while existing Trump tariffs are being challenged in court. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast has said the legislation is being examined for its potential effect on US gasoline prices, which have already risen after the war with Iran. In August, a coalition of US business groups including the US Chamber of Commerce, the Retail Industry Leaders Association and the National Foreign Trade Council wrote to Congress warning the bill could harm consumers, trading partners and allies. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has publicly urged the House to pass the bill following a Russian strike on a Coca-Cola plant in the Kyiv region, and Ukrainian presidential sanctions envoy Vladyslav Vlasiuk has held a series of meetings on Capitol Hill to advance the measure.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage frames the bill as a key opportunity to increase pressure on Russia and to demonstrate continued US support for Ukraine. It highlights active Ukrainian lobbying in Washington, including public calls from Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and meetings led by sanctions envoy Vladyslav Vlasiuk with members of the House of Representatives.
Where reporting differs
The supplied facts conflict on the Senate's August actions: they variously report a final 86-11 approval, an 86-12 procedural vote to advance the bill, or an 81-vote Senate passage that was then blocked by Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the White House's request during negotiations with Vladimir Putin.
Background
The bill was registered in April 2025 and championed in the Senate by Lindsey Graham, a long-time advocate of Ukraine who died in July 2025. An updated version was presented in the Senate on July 14, and the Senate moved the bill forward in late July and August. China, India and Turkey are identified as the largest buyers of Russian energy resources. Passing the bill through the House via an expedited procedure would require a two-thirds majority, which is difficult given Republicans' narrow House majority and the bill's bipartisan opposition.